KUALA LUMPUR: Audi in Malaysia has announced the arrival of another one of its sport utility vehicle (SUV) to expand its current lineup to include the Q3.
Priced on-the-road without insurance at RM269,900, the fully-imported Q3 (assembled in Győr, Hungary) has a 2,680mm wheelbase while standing 4,484mm-long, 1,849mm-wide and 1,616mm-tall.
It comes fitted with a single frame in octagon grille design, full-LED headlights and rear light clusters with dynamic indicators and wheel arch trim to emphasise its ruggedness.
Under the hood lies a 150bhp 1.4 TFSI petrol engine that's mated to a six-speed S-tronic transmission as standard - allowing it to sprint from 0 to 100kph in 8.9 seconds onwards to a top speed of 207kph, while sipping on 7.2 litres per 100km (combined).
The driver can vary the characteristics of the Audi Q3 depending on the driving situation, road conditions or personal needs using the Audi drive select dynamic handling system with varying profiles – from markedly comfortable through to out-and-out sporty.
Inside is a driver-centric cabin that features the brand's Multi-Media-Interface (MMI) touch display with a high-gloss black glass-look surround.
Together with the air conditioning controls underneath, it is tilted 10 degrees toward the driver with all displays, buttons and controls located ergonomically with the comfortable seats providing a sporty position and the steering wheel steeply angled accordingly.
As standard, the rear seats can be moved fore or aft by 150mm and have a three-way 40:20:40 split backrest that can be tilted in seven stages.
Opening the powered tailgate with a kicking-motion beneath the boot will open it to reveal 530 litres of payload space that can be expanded to 1,525 litres.
To make things more convenient, the boot's floor can be adjusted up to three levels with the parcel shelf able to be stowed beneath the floor if unrequired.
Gone are the analogue instruments, taking its design queues from the likes of the A8 and Q8.
Fitted as standard for Malaysia is the 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus screen that offers more customization possibilities including two further views that the driver can set in the MMI.
Other standard features include a 10.1-inch touch display in the middle of the dashboard with natural-language voice control which understands freely structured wording - allowing its occupants to ask questions if necessary, allows corrections, offers choices and defers to the speaker when interrupted.
The navigation system can recognize the driver’s preferences based on previous journeys and can generate suitable route suggestions.
The Audi connect portfolio ideally supplements navigation guidance with traffic information online, the point-of-interest search and information on parking spaces and filling stations appearing directly in the navigation map.
Lastly, the Audi smartphone interface provides Apple Car Play and Android Auto connection options on the MMI display.
